NEWS

Second edition of PwC Cybersecurity Day

Posted on 07June2017

Press Release

200 international experts and IT security specialists expected in Luxembourg

We are looking for ten companies with next generation solutions in cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is more than ever a top concern for business leaders. The latest cyber-attacks have revealed that even national agencies can't protect their own arsenal of hacking tools. A few months after classified and compromising NSA information was leaked, international hackers crafted a malware - the infamous WannaCry - able to take over hundreds of thousands of computers all over the world. It has become clear that companies, administrations and governments need a new generation of Cybersecurity solutions to prevent, detect and mitigate cyber threats.

Vincent Villers, Partner and Cybersecurity Leader at PwC Luxembourg said: "PwC Cybersecurity Day's goal is to help organisations fully understand the major international cyber security challenges and take advantage of new generation solutions in the field".

The second edition of our cybersecurity forum in Luxembourg - to be held on 19 October - is thus carrying on with our tradition of stirring exchanges and debates with the aim of:

Fostering strategic partnerships between private and public actors to understand global cybersecurity issues;

Bringing together international IT specialists and experts to discuss the operational and organisational issues facing organisations, as well as share best practices and feedback;

Promoting and accelerating innovation in the field of cybersecurity by building bridges between technological companies and their innovative solutions and investors; we set up an international competition bringing together on stage the ten best prepared companies to tackle cybersecurity challenges on the European and global market.

Fully signing up – PwC Luxembourg is a founding member - in the Cybersecurity Week organised in Luxembourg, which aims to position the Grand Duchy as a European cybersecurity hub.

An international competition to accelerate innovative solutions

During the PwC Cybersecurity Day, ten fast-growing cybersecurity technology companies will compete in front of over 200 executives representing large companies or institutions from Luxembourg and abroad.

Vincent Villers commented: "The development of robotics, cloud, IoT in our increasingly connected society requires us to adapt, whether in our uses, in our daily professional or personal activity, as well as in the matter of security. Given the increasing complexity of attacks and the shortage of cybersecurity talent, the defence of computer networks is increasingly being entrusted to automated systems. Provided they are reliable, it's key to recognise the threats and know how to use past attacks as a strength".

We have three main topics in the spotlight for the Cybersecurity Day and we're looking forward to seeing companies compete for their new generation solutions around:

Behavioural Analysis , since regular rule-based detection and prevention tools are no longer enough to cope with the latest threats;

Identity and Access Management , which is key to prevent most cyber incidents, including data leakage;

Vincent Villers added: "IoT security is a major topic especially if we think of home automation or connected health, at the heart of which we find people, citizens".

Over 100 international applications in 2016

As for the previous edition, a selection committee of independent jurors will review applications and select ten finalists to pitch at the PwC Cybersecurity Day, on 19 October 2017, in Luxembourg.

Each finalist will have the opportunity to participate in a coaching programme by PwC's Accelerator to prepare their pitch.

At the pitching competition, a jury of experts representing the market and the industry will evaluate each company based on its value proposition, internationalisation strategy, potential impact in Cybersecurity, and its elevator pitch performance.

The Most Promising Company Award will be conferred to the candidate that proves excellence at all levels, from strategy to execution. The audience will also have the chance to vote for the best solution and offer the People's Choice Award.

Vincent Villers concluded: "This is a great opportunity for start-ups and technology companies to showcase their cybersecurity solutions and potentially find investors or public and private partners. This is the DNA of our approach to improve and accelerate the digital trust of organisations".

The winners of the Most Promising Company Award and the People's Choice Award will be announced at the Award ceremony on 20 October in Luxembourg, during the Cybersecurity Week gala dinner (www.cybersecurityweek.lu).

PwC Luxembourg (www.pwc.lu) is the largest professional services firm in Luxembourg with 2,700 people employed from 58 different countries. It provides audit, tax and advisory services including management consulting, transaction, financing and regulatory advice to a wide variety of clients from local and middle market entrepreneurs to large multinational companies operating from Luxembourg and the Greater Region. It helps its clients create the value they are looking for by giving comfort to the capital markets and providing advice through an industry focused approach.

The global PwC network is the largest provider of professional services in audit, tax and advisory. We're a network of independent firms in 157 countries and employ more than 223,000 people. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at pwc.com and pwc.lu.